Sight for guns, bomb droppers, and the like for use on ships and other moving platforms



June 15 1 926. 1,588,682

J. B. HENDERSON SIGHT FOR GUNS, BOMB DROPPERS, AND THE LIKE FOR USE ON SHIPS AND OTHER MOVING PLATFORMS Original Filed July 26, 1919 Ila, 7

ama June is,

UNITED STATES or ENGLAND.

arena. res. enus, son nnorrsns, urn

mam-tonnes onsmrsmno'rnnn uovnm Original appllcattonfled In! I6, 101', leriallo. 818,541, and in England August 4, 1016. Divided and um immune use :11 as. 1020. sum 1..

My invention gun-sights bomb-sights and the like, for use A ou board Sill!) whereby-those efiects on the trajectory are compensated which are produced by the angular motion of the ship around the line of. sight to the target. For example; if a gun be trained fore and aft in-a. sh! and be elevated at an angle a for range than if the ship rollswitham litude a and the sight be kelpt always ined on-the. the vertica plane through axisi gun, which is a proximately the plane .f t jectory, osc ates in azimuth on hot des o the tar t with an amplitude tan a sin 0 and the e eyation' oithe varies from a to a cosine 0 with. doub e the. of roll. Thus at a ran of'15,000 y with a 12" gun, if the s ip were rolling 10 de on either side of;.-the vertical, the de ection of the shot might amount to $600 yards and the error in range might amount to --180 yards. l

Various posed to this error, and serve to position the sigh line in a vertical lane parallel to the axis of the gun, at an angle relatively to the axis of the gun in this vertical plane.

. The present application is a divisional one from my copending United States ap-' plication No. 313,541.

According to my invention I compensate the error in the tra ecto by'causing the line of collimation of'the sight telescope or the like to be moved in azlmut and in eievation relatively to the ship by the angular motion around the lineof relative displacement of the image of the target and the cross wires of the telescope, the said relative displacement being efiected in whole or in part y a gyroscope, the dislacement being produced either automatreally by the pc or by hand through the intervention of a follow the I inter mechanism, the pointer of which is controlled by line of collimation is maintained parallel to the plane of the trajectory.

Fig. 1 is an elevation, partly-in section of gyroscoplc telweope in an arrangement of which-the roduoes automatically the deflection of e 'ne of collimation reqlpred.

consists in'improvements in .or on other moving platter-ms,

the-

devices have been already pro and inc ed= tcausmga' the gyroscope. In every case the 1 Fig, 2 is a transverse sectional view up proximatealfi' along the line 2-2ofFig'. 1. Fig. 3 ows a cross section of the telescope corresponding to Fig. 2 but illustrating the follow the'pointer mechanism:

In Figs. 1 and 2 the' telescope case 1 is 4, t e elevating motion about the trunnions being introduced by the screw 4 and fixed nut 4". The sighting telescope consists of variable power erecting eye-piece 5, the 'sm%le"reflect1ng prism 6, objective in its 1101 e'r'7 and the mirror 8 mounted by trunn'ions 9, 9 within the case 1. A 10 with its rotor axis controlled approximately vertical by gravitational means is mounted b trunnions 16,16 within a ring 11 WlllCltlS mounted by suitable trunnions within the case 1. Associated with the mirror 8 is a pulley: 12 having twice the diameter of a pulley 13 on one of the'trunnions of ring 11. The pulle s are connected by a belt 11', so that one ha i of the relative movement between pulley 13 which is stab- Hired by the roscope' and the case which partakes'of t e angular movement of the platform is communicated to ulley 12. The mirror 8 therefore moves re atively to the case 1 through an angle equal to one half of that'through which the case moves with the platform.- An image ofa distant object is accordin 1y maintained in the field of view of the telescope to compensate for movement of the'platform about an axis perpendlcular'to a vertical plane containing the line of sight to the object.

In order to apply my present invention to this instrument I turn the prism '6 round a vertical axis-thereby displacing the image of the target relatively to the cross wires and I arrange this displacement to be brought about b3 the gyroscope automatically or by han such a magnitude that the error in training in question is correctly compensated. prism 6 is mou on a vertical trunnion M turning in a sleeve 14 attached to the bracket 14" which is fixed to the casing l. ,fThe prism is turned aboutthe trunnion 14 8 by a crank 15' which is moved by the tilting of the 10 about the trunnion axis 16. Tina tilt l8 transmitted by the link 17 to the lever 18, thence through the hollow trunnion of the gimbal ring by rted on trunnions 2 and 3 on the frame gyroscope as the ship rolls and of means of the link 13 to the rocking lever 20, the right end of the link 19 being supported by the link 20* from the case of the instrument.

The rocking lever 20 is pivoted on the caseof the instrument upon an adjustable pivot 21 which engages witha slot 21 in the lever :10. T he lever 20 is connected with the crank 15 which turns the prism 6 by a link 22 whiclrhas a ball joint atcach end. The fulcrum 21 about which the lever 20 turns is adjustable up and down bymeans'o'f the screw 23 (Fig. 1) which is turned bythe head 24 and is threaded through the movable slide-25 which carries the bracket 21"; and the fulcrum 21. The position-of the fulcrum is indicated by a scale on the disc 26 which is turned by the )inion 27 attached to the head 24. This scale may be graduated in degrees of elevation of the gun or in ranges, the pointer 28 indicating the appropriate setting of the fulcrum 21.

It is evident from the arrangement of the mechanism that anv tilting of the trunmons 2-43 relatively to the gyro trunnion -16 will produce, when the gyroscope is acting, a lateral motion of the links 17 and 19 cansing the link 20 to turn about its fulcrum 21 and transmitting through the connecting rod 22 to the crank 15 an angular displacement about the trunnion 14, thus turning the prism 6 in azimuth and displacing the image of the target horizontally in the field of view of the telescope. The ratios of the links are so arranged that this displacement is just sufficient to compensate the error in the trajectory which would otherwise be produced by the tilting of'the trunnion axis 23.

Fig. 8 shows the arrangement which I may use when I desire to give the gyroscope as little work to do as possible. The upper end of the lever 20 is connected to a push rod 30, the handle of which projects outside the case 1. This handle is manipulated by a second observer who keeps the'pointer 31, which is attached to the rod 30, in line with the pointer 32 which is attached to the gyro case. The fulcrum 21 is in this case above the crank 15 instead of below it as in Fig. 2, but the bracket 21" which carries the fulcrum 21 is attached to the slide 25 as before and moves up and down with it.

Having now particularly described and ascertained the nature of my said invention and in what manner the same is to be performed, I declare that what I claim is 1. In apparatus for sightinga projectiledischarging device mounted on an angularly moving platform. a member adapted normally to hear a predetermined relation to the line of sight. a gyroscope, means associated with the gyroscope whereby the relation of the member to t 10 line of sight may Unchanged in accordance with the angular movement of essons the platform and means associated with said means for controlling the change in the relation of the member in accordance with the range adjustment of the device.

line of sight in accordance 'th the angular movement of the platform a hd means associated, with the connections (or controlling the change in the relation of the member in accordance with the range adjustment of the device.

3. In apparatus for sighting a projectile discharging device mounted on an angularly moving latform, a telescope, means associated with the telescope for viewing a distant object, a gyroscope, connections between the-viewing means and the gyroscope for moving the former to displace the image of the object in the field of the telescope in accordance with the angular movement of the platform and means associated with the connections for controlling the movement imparted to the viewing means in accordance with the run e adjustment of the device.

4. In a sig ting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angularly moving platform, an optical device for viewing a distant object, an element ad justable in accordance with the range adjustments of the device, first a gyroscope, a memher connected to said element and adapted to be maintained in a predetermined relation to the gyroscope, and means actuated by the member for producing a displacement of the optical device to compensate for the effect of the movement of the platform upon the trajector of the projectile.

5. In a sig iting apparatus for a projectile discharging devicemounted upon an angularly moving platform, a member adapted normally to bear a predetermined relation to the line of sight, an element adjustable in accordance with the range adjustments of the device, a gyroscope, a member connected to said element and adapted to be maintained in a predetermined relation to the gyroscope. and means actuated by the second named member for changin the relation of the first named member to tie line of sight in accordance with the angular movement of the platform to compensate for the effect of the movement of the platform upon the trajec tory of the projectile.

6. In a sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angudevice, a gyroscope, a pointer associated second member'andadjustable in accordance I therewith, amember connected to said element and adapted to be maintained in' a predetermined relation to the pointer, and

means actuated 'by lthe second named memher for changing the relation of the first namedmember to the line of sight in accordance with the angular movement of the platform to compensate for'th'e eiiect of the movement of the platform upon the trajectory of the projectile.

'7. Ina sighting apparatus for a projectile "discharging device mounted upon an angularly moving platform, an optical device viewing a distant object, an element adjust able in accordance with the range ad ustments' of the device, a gyroscope, a pointer associated therewith, a member connected to said element and adapted to be maintained in a predetermined relation to the inter, and means actuated by the member orproducing displacement of the optical device to Q'compensate for the efiect of the movement of the platform upon projectile.

8. In a sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angularly mo platform, a member adapted .normally to car a predetermined relation to theline of sight, a gyroscope, mechanism comprising a part adjustable in accordance with the angle of gun elevation and a part connected to the member, and means connected to the mechanism and adapted to be maintained in apredetermined relation-to the groscope for moving the mechanism to change the relation of the member to the line of sight in accordance with functions of the elevation of the device ment ofthe platform.

9. Apparatus for correcting for the efiect of the angular movement'of a platform upon a projectile discharging device mounted the trajectory of the thereon, comprising a member ada ted normally to beara predetermined re ation to.

the line of sight, 0; gyroscope, a member adapted to be maintained in a predetermined relation to theg'yroscope, a member connected to the second named member and adjustable in accordance with the angle of elevation of the deviceyand meansconnecting the first and second members for chan'g ingthe relation of the first member to the line of sight in accordance with functions of the elevation of the device and the angular movement of the platform as the second member is maintained in predetermined relation to the gyroscope.

10. Ap aratus for correcting for the effect of t c angular movement of a platform :pon a projectile discharging device mount thereon, comprising a sighting instrument, a gyroscope, a ember adapted to be maintained in a p tennined relation to the gyroscope, a member connected to the l a sig t" the angular movewith the range adjustment of the device,

and means actuated by the first named member for shiftingithe: line of collimation of the instrument iii accordance with functions otthe elevation of the gun and the angular movement-"of the platform as the first named member is maintained in predetermined rela tion to "the gyroscope.

11, Apparatus for sightings gun mounted,

th e line of collimation of the telescope may be moved in accordance with the angular motion of the gun around the line of sight. 12. Apparatus for sighting a gun mounted instrument, a member movab e in acco a member adapted to be maintained in a preance with the elevation of the gun measured from a predetermined plane,

on an anglularly moving platform, compris determined relation to the instrument, a

gyroscope, an'indicator comprisin associated with the roscope [111 associated with the and means-connecting the last named part and the second named member for moving the latter to displace the line of collimation of the sighting instrument in accordance with a function of the angular movement of the latform and the elevation of the gun.

13. pparatus for sighting a gun mounted on an angularly moving platform, comprising an optical instrument and gyroscopically controlled means for maintainmgthe line of collimation of the telescope parallel to a vertical plane through the 8X15 of the gun and depressed in sa d plane at a constant angle below the axis of the gun; I

14. In sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted uponan angu larly moving platform, a gyroscope, means controlled by the gyroscope for compeneating for the effect on the field of view of the apparatus of movement of the platform about an axis per ndicular to a vertical a part a part rst named member,

plane containing t e line of sight to a disbear a predetermined relation to the line of si ht, means associated with the gyroscope whereby the relation of the member to the line of sight may hechanged in accordance with the movement of the platform about an axis parallel to v'the line of sight and means associated with said means for controlling the change in the relation of the member in accordance with the range adjustment of the device.

16. In sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angu- "larly moving platform, an optical element by which a distant object may be viewed, a gyroscope, means controlled by the gyroscope for actuating the element to compensate for the angular nnovement of the plat form about an axis rpendicular to a vow tical plane containing the line of sight, a second optical element for use in conjunction with'the first optical element for viewing the object and means associated with the gyroscope whereby the second optical element may be actuated to compensate for the effect on the device of movement of the platform about. an axis parallel to the line of sight.

17. In sighting apparatus for a projec tile discharging device mounted upon an angular-1y moving platform,' a telescope, gyroscopicall controlled means for mamtaining the image of a distant" object fixed in the field of view of the telescope and means associated with the first named means whereby compensation may be niadeifor the effect on the evice of movement of the platform about an axis parallel to the line of sight.

18. In sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angularly moving platform, a pairof optical elements by which a distant object may be viewed, a gyroscope, means for actuating one of the elements to compensate for the efi'cct on the field of view of the. apparatus of movement of the platform about, an axis perpendicular to a vertical plane containing the line of sight and means associated with the gyroscope whereby the other optical element may be actuated to compensate for the effect on the device of movement of the platform about an axis parallel to the'line of sight.

J A MES B LACKLOCK HENDERSON.

bear a predetermined relation to the line of si ht, means associated with the gyroscope w iereby the relation of the member to the line of sight may be changed in accordance with the movement of the platform about an axis parallel to the line of sight and means associated with said means for controlling the chan e in the relation of the member in accordance with the range adj ustmeut of the device.

16. In sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angularly moving platform, an optical element by which a distant object may be viewed, a gyroscope, means controlled by the gyroscope for actuating the element to vcompensate for the angular=movement of the platform about an axis perpendicular to a ver tical plane containinQthe line of sight, it -second optical element for; use in conjunction with the first optical element for viewing the object and means associated with the gyroscope whereby the second optical element may be actuated to compensate for the efl'ect on the device of movement of the platform about, an axis parallel tothe line of sight.

1?. In sighting apparatus for a projees tile discharging device mounted u on an angularly moving platforn1,'a teescope,

gvroscopically controlled means for mamtaming the image of a distant object fixed in the field of view of the telescope and means associated with the first named means whereby compensation may be made for the effect on the device of movement of the platform about an axis parallel to the line of sight.

18. In sighting apparatus for a projectile discharging device mounted upon an angularly moving platform, a pairof optical elements by which a distant object may be viewed; a gyroscope, means for actuating one of the elements to compensate for the eti'ect on the field of view of the apparatus of movement of the platform about, an axis perpendicular to a vertical plane containing the line of sight and means associated with the gyroscope whereb the other optical element may be actuate to compensate for the effect on the device of movement of the platform about an axis parallel to the line of sight.

J ARIES BLACKLOCK HENDERSON.

Certificate of Correction,

It is hereby certified and Other Movin that in Letters Patent No. 1,588,682, granted June 15, 1926. upon the applicationof James Blacklock Improvement in Sights for Guns, Bomb Droppers, and the Like for Use on g Platforms, an error appears in the printed specification Henderson, of Lee, England, for an Ships requirmg correction as follows: Page 2, line 101, claim 4, strike out the word first and insert the same-before the word device Patent, should be read with this the record of the case in the Patent Office.

Signed and sealed this 3d day [snark] correction therein of August, A. D. 1926.

in same line; and that the said Letters that the same may conform to M. J. MOORE, Acting Umnmzlssioner of Patents.

Certificate of Correction.

It is hereby certified that in Letters Patent No. 1.588.682. granted June 15, 1926 upon the apphrution of James Biaekluek Henderson, of Lee, England, for an improvement in Sights for Guns, Bomb Droppers, and the Like for Use on Ships and Other Morin; Platforms, an error appears in the printed specification reqniring correction as follows: Page 2 line 101, claim 4, strike out the word fiist and insert the samebefore the Word deviee" in same line; and that the said Letters Patent should he read with this correction therein that the same may conform to the record of the ease in the Patent ()fliee.

Signed and sealed this 3d day of August, A. D. 1926.

[SEAL] M. J. MOORE,

Acting Commissioner of Patents. 

